When you think about science what comes to mind? For many of us, it’s lab coats, experiments, and textbooks filled with complex theories. Homeschoolers often ask us, “What counts as science in my homeschool?”
The good news is, science can be a part of your child’s everyday learning experiences.
Science is a way for you and your child to explore the world, ask questions, and discover answers together.
With this in mind, we created this resource to guide you through what counts as science in your homeschool, encouraging creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning.
Defining Science in Your Homeschool Context
From the outset, it’s important to define what science means in the context of your homeschooling environment. Science encompasses a wide array of disciplines: biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and more. Yet, at its core, science is about inquiry and understanding the natural world.
Ask yourself: what interests your child? What sparks their curiosity? Science can be woven into nearly every aspect of your daily life. Whether you’re observing nature, conducting simple experiments in your kitchen, or discussing scientific principles, you are engaging in scientific exploration.
Types of Science You Can Explore in Your Homeschool
Life science
Life science is a fantastic area to explore with your homeschooler. This might include studying plants, animals, and ecosystems. You can turn your backyard or terrace into a living laboratory.
- Go on a nature walk to observe the plants and animals in your environment. Encourage your child to take notes or draw what they see in a nature journal. Visit parks in your area, spending time with any onsite experts to discover new information about the flora and fauna.
- Plant a small garden together, then discuss the life cycle of plants and the importance of ecosystems. Follow the development of your garden throughout the seasons. Observe insects that visit your plants and discover whether they are harmful or beneficial. Encourage pollinators by researching and including plants that attract them.
- Investigate local wildlife. Create projects around their habitats, behaviors, and roles in the ecosystem, and have your child keep notes about their observations. Explore the difference between native flora and fauna and possibly invasive species in your area. Search for free information online from the natural resources departments in your area.
Physical science
Physical science involves the study of matter and energy and creates wonderful opportunities for hands-on experiments right at home. Have your homeschooler use notebooks to document their discoveries.
- Engage in fun projects with simple experiments like making slime, baking soda volcanoes, or exploring the properties of magnets. Integrate sound by using stereo speakers to discover the effects of sound waves. Visit the library for interesting books or look online for more kitchen science ideas.
- Explore physics in motion by using toys like cars and ramps to teach about speed, friction, and gravity. Let your child use their creativity to make various designs and record the results of each version. This is a great way to incorporate STEAM learning in your homeschool.
- Try some chemistry at home by cooking together and exploring chemical reactions like melting, boiling, and the changes in states of matter and properties of water. Yes, even baking cookies incorporates science!
Earth science
Earth science can help your child understand our planet’s systems and how they interact. Try these engaging activities:
- Track weather by creating a journal to record daily conditions. Discuss patterns and the science behind weather phenomena. Follow the watercourses in your area from rainfall to lake, river, or ocean.
- Collect different rocks and minerals. Use resources to identify them and learn about the earth’s crust. Visit different geological zones nearby to compare the variety of landforms around you.
- Explore astronomy through stargazing and discussing the solar system. You can create models of planets or track moon phases. Schedule a meteor shower watch party or follow the constellations throughout the year that are visible from your home.
Incorporating the Scientific Method
A key component of science is the scientific method, a step-by-step approach to inquiry. It’s important to incorporate this into your lessons using the following steps:
- Ask a question
- Do background research
- Construct a hypothesis
- Test your hypothesis
- Analyze data and draw conclusions
- Communicate results
Visit our article on the scientific method for a more detailed explanation.
Using Resources Effectively
Homeschooling provides the flexibility to use a variety of resources including books and textbooks, online resources, science apps and games, and field trips.
- Use engaging, age-appropriate books that cover a wide range of scientific topics. Include those with illustrations and hands-on experiments.
- Websites like NASA, National Geographic, and educational YouTube channels offer vast amounts of information and engaging videos.
- Incorporate mobile apps that can identify plants, bird calls, and other physical items using your phone’s camera and microphone.
- Search for interactive science games and virtual experiments online. Or play science board or card games that allow for fun and learning at the same time.
- Plan visits to science museums, planetariums, or nature preserves to provide real world context and inspiration.
- Find ways to explore science vocabulary in your everyday conversations. Use our fun science root word matching game to get started!
Creating a Science Friendly Environment
Your home environment can foster a love of science. To create an engaging space to explore scientific topics, set up a specific area for science activities or a dedicated workspace equipped with tools and materials. But don’t confine science to just one spot. Science is all around you!
Showcase your child’s experiments and findings by displaying projects. This not only boosts confidence but also sparks ongoing interest and can be fun conversation starters when friends or family visit.
Encourage questions and make it clear that no question is too silly. Emphasizing curiosity is key to developing critical thinking skills.
Fostering an Attitude of Inquiry
Expect your child to be curious about the world around them. Share your own questions and interests in science and ask open-ended questions during discussions to stimulate deeper thinking. Show enthusiasm for scientific discovery. When you encounter a science-related topic, explore it together, then invite your child to research answers from multiple sources and viewpoints.
Nearly every inquiry can lead to scientific exploration. Why is the sky blue? Where do birds go in the winter? How does a scratch heal? Use the curiosity of your homeschooler to introduce scientific answers but remember to keep it light and engaging. It’s easy to slip into “homeschool teacher mode” when your child shows interest in a topic, but not everything requires a full lesson.
Tailoring Science to Unique Interests
Each child has unique interests that can guide their scientific exploration, and it’s up to you to determine how deeply to pursue a topic. Perhaps they’re fascinated by technology, animals, or environmental issues. Tailor your lessons to their preferences.
If your child is drawn to technology, consider exploring coding, robotics, or simple engineering projects. For those interested in ecology, dive into topics like conservation, climate change, and renewable energy sources.
Some homeschoolers will want to spend countless hours on one topic, while others will be satisfied with a general reply to their questions. Follow your child’s lead to determine the level of their interests and guide them where necessary.
In your homeschool, what counts as science is as limitless as your child’s curiosity. By approaching science through exploration, experimentation, and discussion you cultivate a rich learning environment. When you engage with your child’s questions, and interests, you create a joyful and dynamic experience that lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Remember science isn’t just about definitions and formulas: it’s about discovering the world together. Embrace the process and let your child’s natural curiosity guide your scientific journey.